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COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 



FIRST LESSONS 
IN HANDICRAFT 



BY 

MAUD SUMMERS 



PUBLISHED BY 

W. M. WELCH COMPANY 

i8i-i83 Illinois Street 

CHICAGO 




[library of CONGRESS 
TwoCoDies Received 

MAR 12 1906 

tn^ Copyright Entry 
(CLASS CL XXCuNo. 




Ul 



D \^^\ 



■?>^ 



1905 
Copyrighted 

BY 

W. M. WELCH COMPANY 



CONTENTS. 



1. Handicraft Outline. 

2. A Survey of the Work. 

3. September — 

The Miller — the Harvest — Home Life of the Child — Labor 
Day. 

4. October — 

The Shoemaker — Autumn; Seeds — Indian Life — Hallowe'en. 

5. November — 

The Carpenter — Trees — Pilgrim's Life — Thanksgiving Day. 

6. December — 

The Shepherd — Pine Tree; Holly, Etc. — Christmas day. 

7. January — 

The Miner — the Sun and Moon; Ice and Snow — Eskimo 
Life — New Year's Day. 

8. February — 

The Blacksmith — Maple Tree; Buds — Lincoln's Birthday; 
Valentine's Day; Washington's Birthday or Flag Day. 

9. March — 

Ironing and Washing — the Wind — Japanese Life — the Feast 
of Dolls. 

10. April — 

Knitting and Sewing — the Rain; Birds — Holland Life — Easter 
Day; Arbor and Bird Day. 

11. May — 

The Farmer— Spring; the Brook— May Day; Memorial Day. 

12. June — Gardening — Color; Bees; Vacation — Filipino Life — Mid- 

summer Day. 

13. List of Books. 



THOUGHT 

content: 

1. Industries 

2. Nature 

3. Other Chil- 

dren 

4. Holidays 


ta 

H 

% 
o 
s 


PAPER 


CARDBOARD, 
WOOD 


CLAY 


CORD. YARN 
CARPET ELAGS 


RAFFIA,BBED 


COMMON 

PLACE 

MATERIAL 


The Miller 

The Harvest 

Home Life of 

the Child 

Labor Day 


0) 

a 
s 

a 


Drawing and 
Cutting 

Scrap-Books 
Portfolio 


Doll House 


Fruits and 
Vegetables 


Weaving of 
Rugs 




Curtains 
Corn-cob 

Doll 
Corn-stalk 
Furniture 


The 

Shoemaker 

Autumn 

Seeds 

Indian Life 

Hallowe'en 


o 
o 

O 


Drawing and 
Cutting 
Wigwam 


Indian Canoe 
Cradle 


Indian 
Pottery 
Dishes 


Indian Dolls 




Kettle 
Brownie Doll 


The Carpenter 

Trees 

Pilgrim Life 

Thanksgiving 

Day 


u 

a 

a 

a> 

> 

1 


Paper 

Furniture 

Paper Weav'g 

Seed Env'pes 

Pilgrim 

Bonnet and 

Hat 


Pilgrim 
House 


Fruits .and 
Vegetables 


Pilgrim 
Dolls 




Fence 


The Shepherd 

Pine Tree 

Holly, etc. 

Christmas 

Day 


u 

% 
% 

1 


Christmas 
Gifts 


Calendars 

Blotters 

Bookmarks 

Etc. 

Picture 

Frame 




Cord Work 

Knitting 

on Spools 

Balls 


Chain of 
Pine Needles 
Napkin Ring 


Christmas 

Tree 
Decorations 


The Miner 
Sun and Moon 
Ice and Snow 
Eskimo Life 

New Year's 
Day 


u 

C3 

3 

a 

1-5 


Drawing and 

Cutting 
Clock Sled 
Snowfiakes 


Calendar 

for the 

New Y'ear 


Domestic 
Animals 


Eskimo Dolls 
Crocheting 
Weaving of 

Doll Clothes 






Blacksmith 

Maple Tree 

Birds 

Lincoln's 

Birthday' 

Val'tine's Day 

Washington's 

Birthday 


>1 

u 
a 

3 
I* 


Drawing and 

Cutting 

Star. Flag and 

Shield 

Soldier Cap 


Valentines 
Patriotic 
Calendar 


Log House 








Ironing and 

Washing 

The Wind 

Japanese Life 

The Feast of 

Dolls 


2 


Japanese 
Screens, Lan- 
terns. Fans, 
etc.. Windmill 
Stove 


Japanese 
House 


Japanese 
Pottery 


Japanese 
Dolls 


Mats 


Kite 


Woman's 

Work 

The Rain 

Birds 

Easter Day 

Arbor and 

Bird Day 




Drawing and 

Cutting 


Easter Cards 


Animal Life 


Knitting 

Sewing 

Dutch Dolls 




Easter Gifts 
Bird's Nest 
Sail Boats 


The Farmer 

Spring 

The Brook 

May Day 

Memorial Day 


>> 

a 


Drawing and 

Cutting 
May Basket 




Leaves and 
Flowers 


Braiding 


Mats 

Doll Hats 

May Baskets 

Doll 

Furniture 


May 
Basket 


Gardening 
Color— Bees 

Vacation 

Mid-summer 

Day 


a 

a 


Drawing and 

Cutting 
Fairy Dolls 






Filipino 
Dolls 




Filipino 
House 



A SURVEY OF THE WORK. 



Handicraft : 

Handicraft is a word applied to hand-work in gen- 
eral. The child learns handicraft by striving to express 
his thought. The conscious aim of his endeavor is to 
make something. In producing an object he may use 
any material adapted to the expression of his thought. 
All creative work involves both content and expression. 

Thought — Content. 

The child must first have a thought to express. He 
must then select the material in his environment best 
adapted to the expression of this thought. The end is a 
finished product which he can use, and which expresses 
his idea of beauty both in color and form. The order of 
development is 

First — A thought. 

Second — A medium of expression. 

Third — An object. 

The thought-content for each month centers around 
1st, The Industries; 2d, Nature; 3d, Children of Other 
Nations; 4th, The Holidays. 

The activities called forth in the production of food, 
clothing and shelter furnish an interesting content for 
the child's work in handicraft. The primitive industries 
developed the race, and will likewise develop the in- 



8 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

dividual. They teach the child habits of observation and 
give him a broader understanding of nature. They also 
open the v^ay for a study of the children of other nations. 
Christmas, Valentine's Day, Washington's Birthday 
and the various holidays w^ill also stimulate the child to 
express his thought by means of handicraft. He learns 
by doing for doing. Joy in work is the birthright of man 
and is the spirit which should prompt the child to 
activity. 

Purpose of Handicraft: 

The child creeps along the floor, then gains control 
of his muscles and raises himself to an upright position. 
He now has possession of his hands to use either de- 
structively or constructively. The well known psycho- 
logical law that consciousness is motor, or in other words, 
that sensation passes over into action, explains the child's 
ceaseless activity. He learns by doing. Action accom- 
panies all the child's mental life. To express well, he 
must think in an orderly and complete manner. Habits 
of action are in close touch with his ideas. A mother 
mutilates her child when she deprives him of the oppor- 
tunity to use his hands. The child in the nursery should 
be encouraged to express his ideas by means of handi- 
craft and abundant material for this purpose should be 
provided. It rests with those who have charge of the 
child in his plastic years to decide whether he shall be 
trained to produce or to destroy. 

Fundamental Principles : There are three funda- 
mental principles in handicraft. These are : 

First — Clear Image. An image is that which is in 
the mind when the object is not present to the senses. 
The ability to form clear and accurate images lies at the 
foundation of good work. Every child should, there- 
fore, be taught to observe quickly, to image accurately 



A SURVEY OF THE WORK. 9 

and to express easily. All development rests upon im- 
pression and expression. The two-fold function of the 
teacher is, first, to present material upon which the mind 
is to act, and, second, to provide means of expression. If 
clear images are formed in handicraft, the corresponding 
expression will be true and exact. 

Second — Wholes to Parts. . The child loses his in- 
terest and fails to do good work if the object he is to 
produce is not within his hand experience. From the 
simple to the complex should be the order of develop- 
ment. Let the child make that which is easy and which 
requires but little hand experience. He will then pass 
to the more difficult object, and handicraft will be an 
•orderly and progressive development of both mind and 
hand. Let him look at an object, see it as a whole, then 
analyze it to know the construction of its parts. He will 
then be able to make an object similar to the one ob- 
served, or with such modifications as his creative thought 
suggests. 

Third — Self-activity. Much of the handicraft work 
given to the little child has been too difficult. The 
teacher often prepares the material, does much of the 
work and leaves merely the finishing to the child. This 
engenders hypocrisy, for the child well knows that the 
•object does not express his own idea and effort. He 
should be encouraged to make something simple in the 
beginning. The teacher should be satisfied with crude 
results. Had the child the skill to make the finished pro- 
duct it would not be educational to have him spend his 
time on the simple object, instead, he should be at work 
upon something more difficult. Pleasurable effort is ab- 
solutely essential to progressive development. Learning 
by doing is necessary not only in the school but in life. 

Selection and Adaption of Material. — Ruskin tells us 



10 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

that an artist is one who uses the material at hand and 
transforms it into something both useful and beautiful. 
'This principle applies to the child as well as to the adult. 
Students of pedagogy tell us that the imagination is be- 
ing starved because our children have too many store 
toys. The child of long ago made his own toys, and in 
so doing educated both mind and hand. The mother of 
many children had little time to amuse them and there 
was no convenient toy shop in which to spend money. 
The child in making his own toys unconsciously fol- 
lowed Ruskin's principle, and in transforming the com- 
monplace material about him into that which met his 
need became creative. This is the power so valuable in 
every kind of work, whether the worker be artist or 
artisan. 

All observers of children are familiar with the rag 
baby so dear to the child's heart. It is not difficult to 
explain why this is treasured more than the store product. 
The rag baby stimulates the imagination of the little 
mother and calls forth a creative activity that gives 
pleasure. A story will illustrate this point. A little 
child had an armless doll which she dressed in her own 
baby clothes and enjoyed beyond any other doll in the 
nursery. One day the mother alluded to the armless 
condition of the doll, when the child said, "Please 
don't speak of it, mother. I have tried so hard to keep 
her from knowing that she hasn't arms." In dressing 
the doll to conceal this deformity the child had evolved 
many original devices. 

Commonplace material affords an opportunity to de- 
velop the creative power of the child. In using material 
at hand he quickens his powers of observation, learns to 
be economical and develops his imagination. It is not 
necessary to purchase yarn to use in the loom. The fin- 



A SURVEY OF THE WORK. 11 

gers will be trained to be far more dexterous if old fash- 
ioned carpet rags are used in the early lessons in weaving. 
These must first be cut, then sewed, and later woven into 
a rug if this be the objective point of the child's thought. 
It will often be found possible to use corn husks instead 
of raffia. The old-fashioned child strung berries upon 
straws, acorn cups, sea shells or kernels of corn upon 
string, and in so doing had as much pleasure as the child 
now finds with kindergarten beads, and had the addi- 
tional joy of going to nature for his material. 

Wherever the material bought at one of the supply 
houses adds to the development of the child, it is right 
to use it, but no teacher or mother should deny the child 
handicraft on account of lack of money. The material 
furnished by nature will more than compensate by virtue 
of the increased power of observation, greater vividness 
of imagination and habits of economy thereby engen- 
dered. 

Authors of geography, history, arithmetic and other 
schoolroom text books carefully observe a continuity of 
development based upon the child's growing knowledge. 
This principle must operate in the making of books upon 
handicraft. Not only is it a question of the child's mental 
growth, but it is also necessary to recognize his hand ex- 
perience. His fingers are not strong enough in the begin- 
ning to use material offering much resistance. From the 
simple to the complex, from the easy to the difficult, 
should be the guiding principle. Continuity and orderly 
sequence of thought should accompany continuity and or- 
derly sequence of handicraft material. 

Tools. 

Continuity and orderly sequence of thought as well 
as hand experience should also guide in the introduction 
of tools. For very young children that form of handi- 



12 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

craft is best which affords free use of the fingers. 
Hence cutting, pasting, paper folding, cord work and 
similar occupations are suggested for the early lessons. 
In the first two years of school life the child will easily 
and naturally learn to use the loom, knitting needles, cro- 
chet needle and sewing needle if he is permitted to make 
that which claims his interest and attention. In the 
school years which follow, when the muscles of the hand 
are under control, whittling, and the tools required for 
working with wood, metal, leather, etc., may be intro- 
duced, in a progressive way, to harmonize with the devel- 
opment of mind and hand. 

Use of Material — Handicraft will lose much of its 
value unless habits of cleanliness, neatness and economy 
of waste material are rigidly enforced. It is a great con- 
venience if every child can have his own bottle of paste. 
If this is not possible, a half dozen small dishes may be 
placed upon a table in the front of the room. A little 
helper may take out of the large jar enough paste to fill 
each dish. As each child is ready to paste he may leave 
his seat, quietly go to the table, accomplish his purpose 
and pass to his seat. At the end of the lesson the little 
helper should put the paste that remains in the dishes 
back into the jar and see that each dish is properly 
washed and put in its place. 

After a cutting lesson, for instance, there should be 
no pieces of paper upon the floor or upon the desk. Let a 
child pass from seat to seat carrying a waste-paper basket 
into which each one throws the pieces of paper not used. 
Wherever possible encourage the child to use the larger 
pieces of paper. It is not a question of a liberal school 
board or of a generous supply list. The charge is often 
made that Americans are a wasteful people. Our natural 
resources have made us prodigal. This does not absolve 



A SURVEY OP THE WORK. 13 

US, however, from training the child to see that it is bet- 
ter to produce than to destroy. He will often show much 
originality and creative power in using his waste material. 

Method. — Eye, ear and touch are all developed by 
handicraft. Three methods of presenting a handicraft 
lesson are suggested. All of these may be used, the need 
of the child being the teacher's guide in deciding wheth- 
er appeal should be made to the eye or the ear. The 
teacher should have a specimen of the handicraft de- 
signed for that particular lesson placed before the class. 
The method of presentation will then be as follows : 
First — Child observe object and form image. 

Second — Teacher make a similar object before the 
children and explain the process. The object may then 
be removed. 

Third — Child make object working from image. 

Second Lesson — The second lesson is designed to 
train the ear of the child. 

First — Child observe object and form image. 

Second — Teacher dictate details of making. The 
object may then be removed. 

Third — Child make object working from the image 
in his mind and the dictation of the teacher. 

Third Lesson — The third lesson is designed to train 
the eye of the child. 

First — Child observe object and form image. 

Second — Teacher draw a plan on the board illus- 
trating details of making. The object may then be re- 
moved. 

Third — Child make object working from the image 
in his mind and the diagram on the board. 

Later, when the child has gained some power in 
working from the diagram, he should be encouraged to 



14 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

draw a plan of the object made. He may then put this 
upon the board and explain it to the class. 

Time. — Two lessons a week of thirty minutes each 
will be enough to accomplish good results. In a rural 
school the last half hour of each Friday afternoon could 
be profitably spent in this work. 

General Suggestions. 

First Lessons in Handicraft. — Is intended for teach- 
ers having charge of children in the lower primary 
grades. Each teacher is expected to select the exercises 
best adapted to the needs of her pupils and to the material 
within her environment. 

Handicraft will prove a valuable means for employ- 
ing the time of the younger children when the older 
ones are reciting. It will take the place of the meaning- 
less devices, called busy work, which so often fail to call 
forth the constructive activities of the child. From the 
various articles made select the best for the place of hon- 
or. In criticising the work give credit for effort ex- 
pended as well as for handicraft skill. Let all of the 
children take the lesson. Little boys as well as little 
girls will find pleasure in learning to sew, knit, weave, 
crochet, knot, and braid. Encourage the brighter chil- 
dren, who quickh^ grasp the idea, to assist the others. 
The purpose of life is service. No more valuable lesson 
than that of helpfulness to others can be learned in the 
school room. 



LESSONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 

LESSONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 



15 




THE MILLER 



I. The Miller. — Visit a mill with the children and 
interest them in this industry. Have informal talks about 
the baker and bread-making. 

II. Nature. — Talk about the harvest in its relation 
to food. Observe fruits, vegetables, and the fields of 
grain. 

III. The Home Life of the Child. — Emphasize the 
activities centering around the production of food, shelter, 
and clothing. 

IV. Labor Day. — This holiday occurs the first Mon- 
day in September and will be helpful in emphasizing the 
importance of the various industries. Use every oppor- 
tunity to give children an insight into the dignity of labor, 
that as men and women they may realize the cultural 
value of work. 



16 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Drawing. 

Materials. — Paper and charcoal or pencil; paper and 
water colors ; colored crayon or chalk. 

General Suggestion. — The following method in 
drawing, cutting, modeling and handicraft will develope 
the imaging power. 

(a) Child observe object and form image. 

(b) Teacher remove object. 

(c) Child draw object from image. 

1. Give each child a radish. Call attention to the 
shape of the radish and of the leaves. Have children 
draw it using colors. 

2. Place a large cucumber where the children will 
have a good view of it. Remove it. Let the children 
draw it using colors. 

3. Draw from a Dunch of grapes ; an apple hanging 
from its branch. 

4. Draw the different fruits and vegetables. 

5. Draw something suggestive of September. Put 
this in a portfolio to keep with other drawings that rep- 
resent the months. The children will be glad to take 
these home at the end of the school year. 

6. Draw to illustrate a Mother Goose rhyme, a fable, 
or a story. 

II. 
Cutting and Pasting. 

Materials — Paper, scissors, paste. 

Directions — Secure seed catalogues containing pic- 
tures of yellow squashes, green cucumbers, red toma- 
toes and the various vegetables. Let the children cut 
these out and paste in blank books or upon sheets of 
paper to be bound into scrap-books later in the year. 
Make a fruit booklet in the same way. Find pictures 
illustrating the work of the farmer, miller or baker and 



LESSONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 17 

paste in books. These books make pretty Christmas 
presents for a younger brother or sister. 

2. Cut to illustrate stories about the farmer, miller 
and baker. For example : Cut the miller's barrel, the 
baker's cap and apron, the farmer's house, etc. 

3. Cut the picture of a sphere. Cut a fruit that 
resembles the sphere in shape. Cut other objects that 
are like the sphere. 

4. Use the first lines of Mother Goose rhymes for 
illustration, either by cutting or drawing. 

Little Boy Blue. 

Little Bo Peep. 

Simple Simon went a fishing. 

Little Miss Mufifett. 

in. 

Modeling. 

Materials. — Clay. 

Directions. — The suggestions for drawing and cut- 
ting apply to clay. This is merely another medium of 
expression. 

IV. 
Handicraft. — Doll House. 

Materials. — Orange boxes ; wall paper. 

Directions. — Weatherboard the house, if the children 
are able, by allowing each one to assist in tacking the 
boards on the outside. If possible, paint the outside. 
Paper the inside of the house. 

Curtains : 

Materials. — Kernels of corn; oat straw or lemonade 
straws ; colored paper. 

Directions. — (i) Soak the corn until it is soft. Hot 
water will do this more quickly than cold. String the 
corn, using coarse needle and thread. Hang curtain in 
front of house. 



18 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



(2) Cut straws into inch lengths. Cut paper circles 
one inch in diameter. (The colored wrapping paper used 
by the druggist will do for this purpose.) String three 
or four straws, then a circle of paper, etc. Squares or any 




DOLL HOUSE 

other geometrical form may be used. (The mathema- 
tical element in this exercise is an excellent feature.) 
(3) Nuts, acorn cups, shells, etc., may also be 
used. 

Rugs: 

Materials. — Looms ; weaving materials. 

(i) Cardboard looms may be made by notching the 
top and bottom of a piece of cardboard 10x8. If pre- 
ferred, make holes one-half inch apart, one inch from 
the top and bottom. String the warp thread. 



LESSONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 



19 



(2) Old slate frames make good looms. Put a row 
of tacks one-half inch apart along the top and bottom 
upon which to fasten the threads. 

(3) The diagram suggests a simple loom that may 
be made by the older children for the younger ones to 
use. 

Cut a needle out of cardboard or use a kindergarten 
weaving needle. 



^-^«:iwv-'i 







LOOMS AND WEAVING MATERIAL 

Directions. — Weave with silkoline cut on the bias 
about an inch wide, cord, yarn or carpet rags. (Carpet 
rags exercise the fingers in cutting, sewing and weaving, 
and are therefore, excellent weaving material for chil- 
dren.) Old chenille curtains may be raveled and used 
for weaving rugs. 

Rushes may be woven into mats by using the fingers. 

Cornhusk mats are made by moistening the husks. 
Braid these into a long string. Sew together. (This 
requires strong fingers and should not be given to young 
children.) 



20 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



Corn Cob Dolls : 

Materials. — Corn cobs ; colored tissue paper. 

Directions. — Make a ball of paper. Cover with plain 
paper or corn husk and tie on cob. Draw or paint a face. 
Paste cornsilk on head for hair. Twist paper arms and 




CORN COB DOLLS 

tie on cob. Fasten stiff paper on lower part of cob to 
make it stand erect. Dress in tissue paper or corn husk. 
Train the children to select colors which harmonize. The 
importance of good color cannot be over-emphasized. 

Furniture : 

Materials. — Cornstalks, peas and toothpicks. 

Directions for Cornstalk Furniture — Bed: Make 
holes and insert cross sections for the slats, or fasten 
tacks along the sides and weave back and forth with 
string. Sew cheesecloth for the mattress and pillows. 
Fill with milk weed silk, thistledown, cornsilk, cotton 
batting, or cotton from the cotton-wood tree. If pre- 
ferred, paste white tissue paper and fill with the material 
named above. Chairs and tables are easily made. 

Directions for Furniture Made From Peas and Tooth 
Picks. — Soak the peas until soft. Insert tooth picks. See 



LESSONS FOR SEPTEMBER. 



21 



illustration. Encourage the children to make original 
designs. 




CORN STALK FURNITURE 

Portfolio. 

Material. — Heavy paper 9x12 inches. Fold through 
the center the short way across. Decorate the outside 
with a pretty design in colors or charcoal. Each pupil 
should write his name on the cover. Tie with macreme 
cord or colored raffia to harmonize with the decoration. 
Put drawings suggestive of the months in the portfolio. 

Blocks. 

Ask some of the children to bring their building 
blocks to school. Let them sit on the floor, or at the 
table and build a mill, a school house, the house they live 
in, a church, etc. Teach them to handle the blocks 
quietly. 




22 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

LESSONS FOR OCTOBER. 




THE SHOEMAKER 



Thought— Content. 

I. The Shoemaker. — Visit a shoemaker shop with 
the children and interest them in this industry. Such 
training will make them respect and appreciate the work 
of the world. 

II. Nature. — Have informal talks about the mean- 
ing of autumn. Lead the children to see that not only- 
human beings, but animals and plants get ready for 
cold weather. 

(a) Walk to the woods with the children and in- 
terest them in the many changes taking place. How do 
the leaves on the trees appear in October? What are 
the birds doing? Notice the squirrels laying in their 
stores for the winter. 



LESSONS FOR OCTOBER. 23 

(b) Talk to the children about seeds, their use, etc. 
Have them save the seeds from a few of the flowers they 
like best so that in the spring they can plant them and 
have a garden, either at home or at school. Let each 
child wrap his seeds in a piece of paper, three inches 
square. Label each package. Put these in a seed box, 
or a seed envelope, on which each child writes his name. 
(See lessons for November.) 

in. Indian Life. — Reveal to the children the great 
motives of the primal social activities in the securing 
and providing of food, shelter and clothing. 

IV. Hallowe'en. — On the evening of October 31st 
fairies, brownies and elves of all kinds are supposed to 
be especially active. The evening is frequently celebrated 
by boys with acts of vandalism. This may be overcome 
by emphasizing the helpfulness instead of the mischiev- 
ous spirit of the "little folk." Tell the children Grimm's 
fairy story of ''The Shoemaker and the Elves." 

Drawing. 

1. Observe the trees and draw from the image. Use 
colored crayons or charcoal. 

2. Draw from sprays of autumn leaves. Use col- 
ors. 

3. Draw from a cat-tail and leaves. Draw grasses, 
corn stalks, thistle bush, a cotton boll, milk weed pod 
or other nature specimen. Notice the size and shape 
and try for beauty of arrangement on the paper. Use 
charcoal. 

4. Show by a drawing how the squirrels get ready 
for winter. 

5. Draw an Indian wigwam, canoe, kettle, cradle, 
etc. 

6. Draw an Indian blanket with striped border. Us*' 
colored crayons. Care should be used in selecting colon 



24 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



which harmonize. If possible show the children beauti" 
ful Indian blankets. Encourage them to reproduce these 
as nearly as they can. 

7. Draw from memory a dramatization of the shoe- 
maker. Let a child impersonate the shoemaker seated at 
his bench making shoes. Have children observe, then 
draw from memory. Use ink and brush. Vary the les- 
son by a change of medium : Use either colored crayons, 
pencil, or charcoal. 

8. Illustrate the story of the "Shoemaker and the 
Elves." Call the elves brownies. 

9. Make a landscape drawing to illustrate the fol- 
lowing: 

Hiawatha was a little Indian boy. 
He lived in a wigwam. 
It was by the blue sea-water. 
A forest rose behind it. 

10. Make an October drawing for the portfolio. 




LESSONS FOR OCTOBER. 25 

Cutting. — General Suggestions. 

In giving a cutting lesson for the first time select 
a Mother Goose rhyme. Cut the story for the children, 
in one piece of paper, but do not tell them what it is. 
Ask the children to cut the same story. Do not allow 
any child to draw the picture first; it must be done en- 
tirely with the scissors. Cutting should be an expression 
of the children's thought and after the first few lessons 
the teacher should not cut with them. 

The suggestions for drawing will apply to the les- 
sons in cutting. Cut to illustrate scenes from Indian 
life ; the brownies ; the shoemaker and his tools ; also trees, 
nuts, fruits and vegetables. Let all the children cut; 
select the best ones and mount upon colored paper ; hang 
these upon the wall. This will encourage the children 
to ''try, try again." 

Collect autumn leaves and mount them upon paper 
«or cardboard. 

Observe the birds migrating. Cut a number of birds 
and mount upon paper 'to illustrate a flock of birds mi- 
grating. 

Modeling. 

The lessons will deal with the making of toy dishes 
and miniature vessels for cooking, such as kettles, bowls, 
and jugs. The making of one utensil often suggests the 
possibilities of others. Each article should be modeled 
for a particular use. 

Kettles, cups, bowls, pitchers, flower pots, and deep 
vessels should be made from a single piece of clay. Roll 
the bits of clay into a cylinder with as few strokes as 
possible. Hold this in one hand and with the thumb 
or finger of the other make a hole in the top. Press the 
sides into shape by pinching the clay between the thumb 
and finder all the way around and as deep as seems nee- 



26 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

essary. Handles are made by sticking small rolls of clay 
to the body of the cup, pitcher, etc. Clay becomes dry 
and cracks if handled too long. Make every stroke 
count. See that the clay is soft enough to work easily 
without sticking to the fingers. Hard or stiff clay cannot 
be rolled. 

For plates, saucers, and shallow dishes cut the clay 
into thin slices. Make smooth and round by pressing the 
surface with the thumb and carefully rubbing it. Turn 
up the edges for the rim. 

Secure specimens of Indian pottery and tell the chil- 
dren of this primitive industry. The first vessels used by 
man were probably shells and gourds. Later he made 
vessels of clay. The Indian ware will interest the chil- 
dren in pottery and will stimulate them to attempt deco- 
ration. If so, let them, (a) Scratch a border in the 
clay while it is soft, using for this purpose a sharp pencil 
or stick, (b) Paint a design with brush and water col- 
ors when the clay is thoroughly dry. 

Model nuts and fruits. 

Handicraft. 

Indian AVigwam. — Material : Paper ; willow twigs ; 
string or wire. Directions : Cross three willow twigs. 
Fasten with wire or string. Cut a circle. Observe dia- 
gram and cut as indicated by the heavy lines. Paste 
around frame. Decorate before fastening if this be de- 
sired. 

Indian Kettle. — Directions : Make frame as describ- 
ed above. Suspend acorn cup or one made of clay. 

Indian Cradle. — Directions : Cut foundation out of 
cardboard. Cover this either by sewing cloth around 
it or by pasting paper over it. Cut off the wrist portion 
of an old kid glove fastened with lacing. Cut a handle 
from the glove and either sew or paste it on the founda- 



LESSONS FOR OCTOBER. 



27 



tion. Use paper or cloth of bright color for the hood and 
the trimming around the opening. Use a clothes pin for 
the papoose. Stain with water colors and mark the face 
with ink. Put the papoose in the cradle. 




INDIAN CRADLE 



Indian Doll. — Directions : Make a corncob doll as 
described in the September number. Cover face with 
brown paper or cloth. Mark the features with ink. Ravel 
a shoestring for the hair and either paste or sew it on. 
Decorate paper and dress in Indian style. If preferred 
weave an Indian blanket. An Indian woman wears the 
blanket over one arm and under the other. 

Indian Canoe. — Directions : Have paper cut in ob- 
longs 9x6. Fold front edge to back edge. Cut. Open 



28 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 




INDIAN WIGWAM 



'^"""^^-r 
^^^ 




CANOE 




PATTERN FOR CANOE 



LESSONS FOR OCTOBER. 



2J 




/TC '<_ H c_ll ^1 ^-- « -^ « -^' -TT " (T 



[rV 






OOC^iL^ii ^( --^ V' 



WOVEN RUG 




INDIAN DOLL 



and paste ends. Cardboard may be used and the ends 
sewed together. 

Brownie Doll. — Material : Flat bonnet wire from old 
hats. Old kid gloves in two colors — tan and brown pre- 
ferred. Cloth or paper may also be used. Directions : 
Cut off the wrist and fingers of tan gloves. Stuff with 
cotton and shape. Sew on bonnet wire for arms and 
legs. Bend into shape desired. Make the head out of 
the tan glove and sew it on the trunk. Mark the face 
with ink. Cut the coat and hat from the brown glove, 
using the illustration for a pattern. 



30 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 





BROWNIE'S COAT 




BROWNIE'S CAP 



Convert the sand table into an Indian village. Stick 
evergreen twigs into spools and use for trees. Select the 
work that expresses the best effort of the children for 
the place of honor on the sand table. The child thereby 



LESSONS FOR OCTOBER. 31 

becomes one of a community and feels that good work is 
appreciated. • 




INDIAN VILLAGE 



32 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER. 




THE CARPENTER 



Thought— Content. 

I. The Carpenter. — Visit a carpenter shop with the 
children and encourage them to make objects. 

II. Trees. — Talk about the use of trees in furnishing 
man with lumber, fuel, etc. Interest the children in frame 
houses, furniture, and articles made of wood. Show 
them pictures of forests, logging camps, and saw mills to 
illustrate the process of making lumber. 

III. Pilgrims Life. — Emphasize the home activities 
in providing food, clothing, and shelter. 

IV. Thanksgiving Day. — Thanksgiving Day means 
gratitude. This feeling may be developed in the children 
by a wise choice in the selection of stories relating to 
this holiday. 



LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER. 33 

Drawing. 

General Suggestions. — Train the children to be close 
observers that they may have clear and definite mental 
pictures. Work from the image, not the object, in ex- 
pressing thought by means of drawing, cutting, model- 
ing, and handicraft. 

1. Observe the trees in November. Draw them af- 
ter the leaves have fallen. Use charcoal. 

2. Draw an ear of corn in the husks ; a pumpkin ; 
a Jack O'Lantern; a turkey. Use colors. 

3. Draw a house with a fence around it. 

4. Draw a little girl dressed in Pilgrim costume. 
Let her wear one of the Pilgrim bonnets, folded by the 

•children. Fold a kerchief out of white tissue paper. 

5. Draw from memory a dramatization of the car- 
penter. Let a child impersonate the carpenter at work. 

6. .Draw a landscape showing grandmother's house 
on Thanksgiving Day, with the snow falling. 

7. Tell me something you did Thanksgiving Day. 
Mark it November and put it in the portfolio. 

Cutting. 

Cut to illustrate scenes from Pilgrim life ; the car- 
penter and his tools ; articles to put in the chest ; also 
stories about Thanksgiving Day. 

Modeling. 

The suggestions for drawing and cutting will apply 
to November lessons in modeling. 

Handicraft. 

Paper Folding. — Materials. — Paper; scissors; paste. 

General Suggestions. — The following models are 

based either upon the square or the oblong. The dotted 



34 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 





u 




LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER. 35 

lines indicate folds, the heavy lines, cuts. Have paper 
of a stiff quality, cut the desired size before placing it 
in the hands of the child. Japanese manila is an ex- 
cellent folding paper. It may be purchased at any kinder- 
garten supply house, where they will cut it for a small 
additional cost. 

Paste. — Gum tragacanth may be bought at any drug 
store and makes a good paste for a light quality of paper. 
Use a tablespoonful to a pint of water and soak over 
night. Add a few drops o ^»il of cloves. 

Square Seed Box. 

I. Material. — Square of paper 8 inches by 8 inches. 
Directions. — Fold front edge to back edge, forming 

oblong 8x4. Open an fold same edges to middle crease. 
Paper is now creased in oblongs 8x2. Fold the short 
edges together. Paper is now creased in oblongs 4x2. 
Open, and fold same edges to new middle crease. Paper 
is now creased in sixteen squares 2x2. Observe diagram 
and cut as indicated by the heavy lines. Fold into shapes 
and paste corner squares. 

M'ake a second box and use it for a cover. Cut a 
small triangle out of the lower part of two sides of the 
cover in order to remove it easily. 

Seed Envelope. 

II. Material. — Eight inch square of paper. 
Directions. — Fold opposite corners together. Turn 

folded edge toward you. Fold lower right and left corn- 
ers together to find center of lower edge. Paste. Turn 
upper corner downward to the center of lower edge. 
Paste. The remaining corner forms the flap of the en- 
velope. 



36 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



Basket. 

III. Fold and cut as for square seed box. Cut a 
handle. Paste the ends to the centers of two sides. of the 
square seed box. 

Table. 

IV. Fold and cut as for square box. Invert box. 
Use for legs the squares cut away from the top of the 
Puritan cradle. (See model VI.) Fold each square either 



XI 



. J. . . - I. 




SEED BOX PATTERN 

on the diagonal or through the center and paste into 
the corners of the inverted box. Fold a piece of white 
paper into sixteen squares for a table cloth. Fringe the 
edge. Napkins may be added. 

Pilgrim Chest. 

V. Fold an 8 inch square into sixteen 2 inch squares 
(see model I.) Cut away lower right and left hand 
squares. Make two cuts, each two inches long. Fold 
into box, leaving oblong 4x2 for a cover. Paste. Use 
the two squares cut away for handles. Paste the lower 
half to the ends of the chest. Let the children invent a 
fastening for the chest. Encourage free hand cutting of 
articles to put in the chest. 

Pilgrim Cradle. 

VI. Fold an 8 inch square into sixteen 2 inch 
squares. Cut ofif one row of squares, leaving oblong 6x8. 
Make two cuts two inches long on short edges. Fold 



LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER. 37 

into an oblong box. Paste. Cut rockers from the row of 
squares cut away. For top of cradle take another 8 inch 
square. Fold, and cut away one row of squares, leaving 
oblong 6x8, as above. Cut off the row of three squares, 
leaving 6 inch square. Cut away lower right and left 
hand squares. On opposite edge make two cuts two 
inches long. Fold and paste. Insert flap into oblong 
box and paste. 

Baby Carriage. 

VII. Fold and cut as for Pilgrim cradle. For han- 
dles and wheels use the squares cut away. 

Pilgrim Settee. 

VIII. Fold and cut into an oblong box as for the 
lower part of cradle (see model VI.) Invert the box. 
For the arms and back use row of four squares cut away. 
Paste to the inverted box. 

Dresser. 

IX. Fold and cut square box (see model I.) Fold 
and cut two oblong boxes (see model VI.) Insert ob- 
long boxes in the square box for drawers. For handles 
use brass headed tacks or paper fasteners. Use the 
squares cut away for the top of the dresser. Paste and 
finish in any manner desired. 

Bookcase. 

X. Fold and cut one square and two oblong boxes 
(see model X.) Insert the two oblong boxes in the 
square box with the opening toward the front to form 
shelves. For books cut paper into strips and roll. Paste 
the loose end and stand on the shelves. Use colored 
paper for the books. 



38 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Candle. 

XL Cut white paper into strips and roll. Paste the 
loose end, and fasten to a square or circular piece of 
paper. 

Bed. 

XII. Oblong of paper 9 inches by 6. Fold as in 
Model I. The paper is now creased in sixteen oblongs, 
instead of squares. Observe diagram and make cuts as 
indicated by the heavy lines. Fold into shape and bring 
the head and foot of the bed upward into position. Fold 
the foot back to make it lower than the head. Strength- 
en the head and foot with pieces cut away from other 
models. Finish the head and foot in any manner desired. 
Make mattress and pillows. (See lessons for September.) 

Chair. 

XIII. Fold an 8 inch square into sixteen 2 inch 
squares. Cut off one row of squares, leaving oblong 
6x8. Make two cuts, two inches long on short edge. 
On opposite edge make two cuts, each four inches long. 
Fold and paste end having two inch cut. This forms 
front of chair. Fold and paste opposite end. Stand 
remaining oblong up for back of chair. Strengthen the 
back with the piece cut away. Finish the back and legs 
in any manner desired. 



n 



I ' • 
I 



111 




iMlillilWOWfliMl 



BARN 



LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER. 



39 



Barn. 

XIV. Fold an 8 inch square into sixteen 2 inch 
squares. Observe diagram, and cut as indicated by the 
heavy lines. Fold and paste. Cut a barn door the size 
desired. 

Hen Coop. 

XV. Fold an oblong of paper through the center 
into two oblongs. Put tooth picks across each end for 
slats. 



Fence. 

XVI. Cut berry boxes into slats. 
gether to form a fence. 



Glue these to- 



Paper Weaving. 

XVII. Material. — Square of heavy paper 8 inches 
by 8 inches. Folding paper in attractive colors or gray 
bogus paper are satisfactory for work of this kind. 




♦♦♦♦ 
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 
^^ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ^ 

k. .A 

♦ ♦♦♦ 




PAPER WEAVING 

Directions. — Fold front edge to back edge. Place 
a dot one inch from each edge in the upper right hand 
corner. Same in the upper left hand corner. Connect 
the two dots with a straight line and place dots on the 
line I inch apart. Place dots on the fold i inch apart, 
opposite those on the line. Connect opposite dots by 



40 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

straight lines and cut along these lines. Unfold. You 
will have a square cut into eight i inch strips with a 
I inch border all around. Cut another piece of paper 
into six I inch strips. Weave the first strip over one and 
under one, alternately. Weave the next strip under and 
over and so on, until the six strips are woven in. When 
the weaving is complete fasten the ends with paste. 

Encourage the children to originate new patterns. 
Vary the work by cutting the square and the weaver 
into half-inch widths. If folding paper is used endeav- 
or to combine colors which harmonize. Use colors upon 
the gray bogus paper and paint or draw a design in 
checks, or in any simple pattern. 

Pilgrim Bonnet. 

XVIII. White paper, 24 inches by 18. Use news- 
papers if better paper cannot be secured. Fold short 
edges together, Again fold short edges together. Open. 
Turn folded edge toward you. Fold right half of closed 
edge to center crease; left half. The closed edges should 
meet at the center crease. This forms a triangle, leaving 
an edge of paper below, 3 inches wide. Turn open edge 
of triangle toward you. Fold one 3 inch piece upward 
on triangle. Turn the triangle on opposite side and fold 
the other three inch piece upward. Paste edges at 
corners. This forms a soldier cap. Bring the pasted 
corners of the soldier cap together to form the bonnet. 
(See soldier cap in February lessons.) 

Pilgrim Hat. 

XIX. For the crown of the hat cut a piece of paper 
on the bias the required size. Paste. Cut the bottom 
of the crown and turn upward for paste flap. Cut a 
circle, free hand, for the rim of the hat. Cut a circle out 



LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER. 41 

of the center of the first circle. Paste crown and rim 
together. Cut another rim and paste it beneath the first 
to strengthen it. 




Pilgrim Dolls. 

XX. Dress clothes pins in Pilgrim clothes made 
from brown cloth or paper. Draw a face. The pattern of 
the Brownie coat given in the October number may also 
be used for the Pilgrim coat. 

Pilgrim Home. 

XXI. Convert the sand table into a Pilgrim home. 
Make a log house out of twigs. Clay may also be used. 



42 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Let each child roll a cylinder to form a log for the house. 
Place the barn and hen coops in the farm yard. Build 
a fence (see exercise XVI.) Stand the Pilgrim dolls near 
the house. 




LESSONS FOR DECEMBER. 
LESSONS FOR DECEMBER. 



^ 







THE SHEPHERD 



Thought — Content. 

1st. Christmas is pre-eminently the children^ holi- 
day and is the great central idea of the month. Love 
is the keynote, which is shown in making gifts for the 
ji'.jme ones and for those more needy than themselves. 
At this time better than at any other the thoughts may 
be turned away from self and the children be led to see 
that the expression of love is in giving, not in receiving. 
Christmas poems, stories, pictures and songs will give 
them ideals of that which is beautiful in art and in action. 

2d. Observe and talk about pictures of the Madonna 
and Christ child; sheep and the shepherd. 

3d. Observe holly, mistletoe, and the pine tree. 
Decorate a Christmas tree. 



44 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

4th. Talk about Santa Claus, reindeer, and the fire- 
place with its row of stockings. 

Drawing and Cutting. 

1. How many have ever seen Santa Claus? Draw 
or cut his picture. 

2. Draw a fire-place with stockings hanging in a 
row ready for Santa Claus, 

3. Draw or cut to illustrate Christmas stories or 
poems. 

4. Draw a spray of bright red holly. Use colored 
crayons. 

5. Show, either by cutting or drawing — 

I. What you are going to make for someone on 
Christmas. 

II. What you would like to give someone on Christ- 
mas. 

III. What you are going to do to make someone 
happy on Christmas. 

IV. What games you are going to play on Christ- 
mas. 

V. What you want Santa Claus to bring you. 

Handicraft. Cord Work. 

I. Material. — Colored macreme cord. 

Directions. — Very small children may be taught 
knotting. A chain stitch is made with the fingers in- 
stead of a crochet hook. Begin by forming a loop in 
one end; fasten the knotted end with a tack to the under 
side of the desk. Use the right hand to pull the cord 
up through the loop, keeping the free end in the left 
hand. Tighten the loop by pulling the free end. Be care- 
ful to have the work uniform through the entire length. 



LESSONS FOR DECEMBER. 



45 



Whistle chain. 

1. Five yards macreme cord. Let the chain stitch 
come to within ten inches of the end. Pull the cord 
through the last loop on each end. (Fig. 2.) Draw to- 
gether and tie. Turn one loose end back to form a loop. 
Use the other loose end to make a buttonhole stitch. 
(Fig. 3.) Fasten to this chain a whistle or scissors. 

An easier whistle chain is made by using the chain 
stitch instead of the buttonhole stitch after tying the ends 
together. Work the chain stitch down about three inches 
and fasten to this scissors or whistle. 
Holder. 

2. A six inch square of eider down flannel. Fasten 
to the cord described above. This makes a useful pres- 
ent for mother. 

Chain for Mittens. 

3. Let the chain stitch come to within three inches 
of the end. Pull the cord through the last loop to fasten 
the chain stitch. Tie the mittens to this chain. 

Horse Reins. 

4. Length of cord three times that desired for the 
finished length. The cross-piece is made separate. String 






the bells to this by weaving a finer cord in and out. 
Either tie the ends or fasten down by using a needle and 
thread. (Fig. 4.) 



46 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Knitting on a Spool. 

II. A knitted cord may be used injstead of the 
knotted chain described above. 

Balls for Baby. 

III. Save the string used for tying bundles and 
wind it into a ball. Use a tapestry needle and with col- 




ored worsted cover the ball as indicated in the drawing. 
Select worsted in the six primary colors and let each ball 
be a different color. 

Chain of Pine Needles. 

IV. Pull out one or more of the needles and insert 
those left in the hole just made. 

Thermometers, Calenders, Match-scratchers, Blotters, 
Pen-wipers and Needle Books. 

V. Materials. — A light quality of bristol board, cut 
into squares, oblongs, stars or bells. Any kindergarten 
supply house or firm dealing in paper will cut these 
the desired shape and size. Merchants will very kindly 
save the ribbon that comes around handkerchiefs, if asked 
to do so. In all work be careful to select harmonious 
colors. Inexpensive calendars and thermometers may be 
purchased. If possible let the children in the upper 
grades make the calendars, thereby saving the expense of 
buying them. 



LESSONS FOR DECEMBER. 



47 



1. Directions.— Fasten a thermometer, calendar or 
piece of sand paper to the bristol board. 

2. Blotter. — Bristol board cut 9 inches by 4. Let 
the children cut blotting paper same size. Tie with 
ribbon. Decorate with spray of holly or in any manner 
desired. 

3. Needle Book. — Cut flannel the required size and 
tie to the bristol board. 

4. Pen-wipers. — Cut chamois the required size and 
tie to the bristol board. 

Book Mark. 

VI. Colored bristol board 7 inches by 2^. Deco- 
rate with spray of holly or in any way desired. 

Calenders. 

VII. I. Colored bristol board 9 inches by 6. Let 
the children cut a. sheep either from white paper or cot- 




ton. Also cut a shepherd's crook and a star from silver 
paper. Paste these and a calendar upon the bristol 
board (Fig. i.) 

2. Let those who draw and write well enough deco- 
rate a calendar in any manner desired. (Fig. 4.) 

3. Cut from old letters the 2-cent green stamps 
formerly used. Decorate calendars with a clover de- 
sign made from these. (Fig. 3.) 

4. Use parquetry paper. Paste red circles on black 
oblongs to look like Chinese lanterns. Take a piece of 
raffia or string four inches long and tie a strip of red 



48 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

paper around one end to look like a fire cracker. Fasten 
several of these to the calendar with sealing wax. (Fig. 

2.) 

5. Paste picture of the Madonna and the Christ 
child on dark brown or gray bristol board. Fasten a 
calendar underneath. 

Miscellaneous Christmas Gifts. 

VIII. I. Basket. — Use a berry box. Stain with 
bluing. Fasten blue ribbon to the basket for a handle. 
Put a white Japanese napkin inside and fill with pop- 
corn. (Fig. I.) 

2. Picture Frame. — Make slats from berry boxes. 
Stain with bluing. Glue together. Paste picture in 
frame and hang with ribbon or worsted. (Fig. 2.) 

3. Picture Frame. — A four-inch square of colored 
kindergarten paper. Fold each corner to the center. 
Fold each point backward. Insert a picture. (Encour- 
age the children to cut pictures appropriate to the Christ- 
mas thought from magazines and papers.) (Fig. 3.) 

4. Shaving Ball. — Cut white tissue paper into 7 inch 
squares. Fold on the diagonal. Fold a second time on 
the diagonal. Round the edges. String with a needle on 
strong thread. Tie with a bow of bright red ribbon. 
(Fig. 4-) 

5. Pin Cushion. — Carefully remove a corncob from 
its husk. Fill the husk with milkweed silk, cotton from 
the Cottonwood tree, or with ordinary cotton. Decorate 
with bluing or with paint. Tie with ribbon that harm- 
onizes. 

6. Needle Book. — Two circles of white bristol 
board. Make a hole in the center of the upper cover. 
Make a row of holes one inch apart and three-quarters 
of an inch from the edge. Thread a needle with colored 
worsted and sew through the center, making a long 



LESSONS FOR DECEMBER. 



49 




C^ 




«i»^ 



3 

o 
a 



3 
W 
a- 

c- 
a 



c3 
^ bi 

IS 

?-! 

^^ 
. e3 

CMS 







■_^ 





m 



cq 



50 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

stitch to each hole on the edge. Cut flannel the required 
size. Fasten it between the covers. (Two shades of wor- 
sted as, for instance, a light and a dark yellow, will 
produce a pleasing effect.) (Fig. 6.) 

7. Sachet. — Fold the four corners of a Japanese 
napkin to center and cut. This makes four triangular 
sachets. Fill with any one of the materials used for 
pincushion. Tie with ribbons. (Fig 7.) 

8. Napkin Ring. — Cardboard 5 inches by 2. Wrap 
over and over with raflia or colored worsted. Sew to- 
gether and fasten with a rosette. (Fig. 8.) 

Wash Cloth. 

IX. String the loom with white carpet warp. Cut 
cheese cloth three-quarters of an inch wide and weave 
square wash cloth. 

Christmas Tree Decorations. 

X. Paper chains ; strings of popcorn ; cover hickory 
nuts with tin foil from tea boxes. 




LESSONS FOR JANUARY. 
LESSONS FOR JANUARY. 



51 




THE MINER 



Thought— Content. 

I. The Miner. — Show the children pictures of coal 
mines and of miners at work. Connect this with social 
life by talking about shelter and climate. 

II. Nature. — (a) Observe the sun and the moon. 
Talk about day and night ; the months and seasons of the 
year. Tell the children about the long, dark northern 
winter, (b) Talk about the domestic animals. Describe 
the Eskimo dogs to the children. Encourage them to tell 
stories about their own pets at home, (c) Observe the 
snow and talk about its usefulness. 

III. Eskimo Life. — Emphasize the home activities 
in providing food, shelter and clothing. 



52 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



IV. New Year's Day. — Use every opportunity to 
give children an impulse toward the true and the beauti- 
ful. Interest them in the New Year and the gifts and 
blessings each month brings. 

Drawing. 

I. In the northern United States January is a month 
of ice and snow. The chief interest of the children will 
be in the games and pastimes connected with snow and 




1— Eskimo man. 



2— Woman. 



3— Boy. 



4-Girl. 



winter sports. The snow man, snow forts, snowballing, 
sliding and skating will furnish material for drawing and 
cutting. To illustrate : 

(a) Draw a picture of a snow man. 

(b) Make a picture to show what games you like to 
play in winter. 

(c) Let some snow flakes fall upon a piece of dark 
cloth and observe the form and size. Draw these upon 
the blackboard. 



LESSONS FOR JANUARY. 



53 



(d) Draw a winter landscape. Use charcoal on white 
paper. 

2. Draw a little Eskimo child. Draw the house he 
lives in and any scene from Eskimo life that is interesting. 

3. Observe the moon. Let a child draw it upon the 
blackboard. Use yellow crayon. Let the children modi- 
fy the drawing from day to day, to correspond with the 
changing phases of the moon. 

4. Have each child make a drawing of his pet dog, 
kitten, pony, etc. Use charcoal. When completed, hang 
these in a row and call it a picture gallery. 

5. Draw the New Year bells upon a card and write 
an appropriate greeting, such as ''Happy New Year," 
upon it. Encourage the children to design other cards. 

6. Dramatize the miner at work. Make an illustra- 
tive drawing. 

Cutting. 

Adapt the suggestions given in the November les- 
sons to the work of this month. 

Modeling. 

Encourage the children to make an Eskimo house 
out of snow in the school yard. 




ESKIMO HOUSE 



54 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Let them model out of either clay or snow the farm 
animals and those found about the home, such as the cat, 
dog, rabbit, mice, birds, cows, pigs, etc. 

In most bird forms the body is shaped like an tgg. 
Add to this the head and tail. To make little chickens, 
fasten the head directly to the body. The duck, on the 
contrary, has a neck. Roll this neck from a piece of 
clay and enlarge one end with added clay for the head. 
Model by building up. Select a piece of clay of almost 
the right size and add a bit here and there to give the 
correct form. Begin with some animal that has charac- 
teristic features, such as the ears of a rabbit. 

Handicraft. — Eskimo Dolls. 

Dress corn cob dolls to look like Eskimos. Use cot- 
ton batting instead of fur. 

Calendars. 

Material — 12 sheets of paper cut 10 inches by 8 
inches. 

Directions. — Each calendar should symbolize one of 
the months of the year. Decorate the January sheet, for 
instance, with a central picture typical of the New Year. 
Paste around this other pictures, representing the 
thought of the month, such as the miner, snow man, 
scenes from Eskimo life, etc. 

Paper Folding. 

I. Clock. — Fold an 8-inch square into sixteen 2- 
inch squares; (see November lessons). Fold the inner 
row of squares from the center crease to half the width. 
Same on the opposite side. Fold the lower outside row 
of squares half the width. Cut. Fold the upper outside 
row of squares to half the width. Cut to within an inch 
of each side of the center crease. Observe diagram and 
cut as indicated by the heavy lines. Fold into shape and 



LESSONS FOR JANUARY. 



55 



paste. Ornament the top by folding on the diagonal to 
form a point. Cut a circular face and draw figures and 
hands upon it. Paste on clock. If desired a door may 
be cut in the lower portion and a pendulum inserted. 




2. Sled. — Fold an 8-inch square into sixteen 2-inch 
squares. Cut off one row of squares, leaving an oblong 




1— Snowflake. 
2— Snowflake. 



3— Sled. 
4— Diagram of sled 



5 and 6— Crochet needle 
and mat. 



56 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



6 by 8. Fold the outside row of squares on three sides 
to half the width. Cut off the half on the short edge. 
Find middle oblong on the short edge. Cut it out. Find 
middle square on the opposite edge. Cut it out. Fold 
back for runners and cut diagonal lines as indicated. 
Paste. Strengthen the sled with the row of pieces cut 
away. 

3. Snowflakes. — (a) Square of white paper 6 inches 
by 6 inches. Fold front edge to back edge, forming ob- 
long 6 by 3. Fold short edges together, forming three- 
inch square. Fold corners together, forming a triangle. 
Fold again and cut. Paste on colored paper, (b) Make 
another snowflake from the pieces left over after cutting 
the above figure. Observe snowflakes and invent other 
forms. 




1— Shoe. 2— Stocking. 3— Sweater. 4 and 5— Back and front of pattern 
for Tarn O'Shanter Cap. 



Weaving. 

Weave a skirt, sweater, shoes, and cap for a doll. 
Skirt — Cut out of cardboard a flat pattern the size de- 



LESSONS FOR JANUARY. 



57 



sired. The top of the skirt should be narrower than the 
bottom. Notch the top and bottom one-fourth of an inch 
apart. Wrap the warp around a notch ; carry it down 
the side and back again, until one side is covered with the 
warp. Wind the other side. Begin at the top and weave 




WOVEN DOLL 

around and around until the skirt is finished. Sweater 
and Shoes. — These are woven over a flat pattern, cut out 
■of cardboard, to correspond in size with the skirt. Tam 
O'Shanter Cap. — Weave over a circular weaving board. 
These may be purchased from any kindergarten supply 
Tiouse. 

Crocheting. 

Let the older boys in the school whittle crochet 
needles from cedar or other suitable wood. Sew carpet 
rags and chochet rugs for the doll house. 



58 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Give the children handicraft requiring them to exer- 
cise the fingers in the stitches thus far learned; namely 
weaving (see September lessons) ; cord work or knitting 
(see December lessons) ; sewing carpet rags, doll clothes, 
and doll house furnishings as suggested in the previous 
lessons. 




LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY. 59 

LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY. 




THE BLACKSMITH 



Thought— Content. 

I. The Blacksmith. — Visit a blacksmith shop with 
the children. Read them Longfellow's ''The Village 
Blacksmith." 

II. Nature. — (a) Maple Tree. — Visit a maple grove 
and observe the process of making sugar. If this is im- 
possible, tap a maple sugar tree in the vicinity of the 
school. Secure the sap and boil it down into syrup. If 
neither plan is feasible, use pictures. 

(b) Buds. — Place pussy willow twigs and small 
branches from a cherry tree in water. Watch the un- 
folding of the buds. 

III. Holidays. — (a) February 12th — Lincoln's 
Birthday. 



60 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

(b) February 14th — St. Valentine's Day. 

(c) February 226. — Washington's Birthday, or Flag 
Day. 

The meaning of St. Valentine's Day is friendship. 
Tell the pretty story of St. Valentine and show the chil- 
dren that the ugly, comic valentine, seen in the shops, 
have no place in expressing this emotion. The best way 




to avoid their debasing influence is to teach on the con- 
structive side. Tell the children what ^0 do. Therefore, 
have a valentine box, let each child make one or more 
valentines. 

Drawing. 

1. Study a maple tree in February and then put this 
in a landscape drawing. Use charcoal. 

2. Let a child impersonate the blacksmith at work. 
Class draw from the image. 

3. Draw a blacksmith shop. 

4. Let several boys wear the soldier caps folded in 
the handicraft lesson and march around the room carry- 
ing flags. Class draw from memory. Use colored cray- 
ons or charcoal. 

5. Draw an eagle. Use charcoal. 



LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY. 61 

6. Draw the valentine you are going to make. Use 
colored crayons. 

7. Illustrate: 

"With his tin trumpet and little red drum, 
Marching like soldiers the children come." 

Cutting. 

General Suggestions. — Much cutting will be neces- 
sary in making valentines. Train the children to image 
clearly before using the scissors. Do not allow them to 
waste paper. Teach them to create by a wise use of the 
pieces left over. 

1. Observe the anvil, hammer, bellows, horse shoes, 
etc., in the blacksmith shop visited, and cut from the 
image. 

2. Cut the utensils used in making maple sugar. 

3. Cut to illustrate ''The Village Blacksmith." 

4. Cut a hatchetj a shield, etc. 

Modeling. 

Continue the work suggested in the January number. 
Let each child roll a cylinder to use in making a log- 
house illustrative of Lincoln's early home. 

Handicraft. — Valentines. 

Materials. — Kindergarten paper in assorted colors. 
Water color paper. Scrap book pictures. Ribbon, gild- 
ing, water colors ; bluing. (See December lessons.) 

General Suggestions. — Encourage the children to 
save the pictures of Washington and Lincoln and scenes 
illustrating their lives, which appear in the February 
magazines and newspapers. If preferred, these may be 
purchased for a penny apiece, or even less, if a large order 
is given, from a kindergarten supply house or picture 
dealer. If asked to do so, the merchants will save the 



62 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



ribbon used for tying handkerchiefs and which is usually 
wasted. This use of commonplace material will teach the 
children a much needed lesson in economy. Give fre- 



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quent exercises in color combinations. Let the children 
decide upon the effect which is most pleasing. In all the 
color work make the harmony of tones one of the princi- 
pal thoughts of the lessons. 

I. Have colored paper cut in squares 6 by 6. Fold 
front edge to back edge. Fold the short edges together. 
Fold each corner to the center. Fold each corner back 



LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY. 63 

to the edge. Paste lace paper from soap or candy boxes 
underneath each point. Decorate center with scrap book 
picture. Mount on water color paper. Tint edge to har- 
monize with paper. 

II. Have colored paper cut into squares 4 by 4. 
Same fold as above. Decorate center and each point with 
a picture. Mount on cardboard and water color paper 
cut in a circle 4 inches in diameter. 

III. Cut water color paper into heart shape. Gild 
edge or tint with bluing. Cut stiff paper into heart shape 
to strengthen the back. Paste. Tie together with hand- 
kerchief ribbon. Decorate with pictures. 

IV. Two or more of these hearts may be strung to- 
gether with ribbon. 

V. Have colored paper cut into circles 4 inches in 
diameter. Fold opposite edges together. Fold front edge 
to center crease. , Fold the short edges together. Open 
and fold the other two edges in the same way. Paper 
shows four squares in center of circle. Cut two inches 
along center crease. Cut to right and left one inch. Cut 
opposite crease the same to form doors. Fringe edge of 
circle. Mount on water color paper cut in squares 5 by 
5. ' Tint edges with bluing or paint to harmonize with 
paper. Open doors and paste picture upon the card. 
Paste lace from candy or soap boxes inside doors. 

VI. Have colored paper cut in squares 4 by 4. Fold 
front edge to back edge. Fold short edges together. 
Fold on the diagonal from corner to corner. Fold again 
on the diagonal. Cut alternately to the center from each 
side. About an inch from the center cut almost to the 
opposite edge and also on the center crease to form 
doors. Mount on water coloi; paper cut in squares 6 by 6. 
Tint edge with bluing or paint to harmonize with paper. 
Open doors and paste picture upon the card. Decorate 
each corner with a picture. 



64 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 




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LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY. 65 

Valentine Envelope. 

Fold the corners of an 8 inch square of paper to the 
center. Paste a i-inch square or circle of paper upon 
three of the corners. The other corner forms the flap 
of the envelope. Fasten this behind the squares or circles 
to close the envelope. 

Five Pointed Star. 

Cut paper into oblongs 4 by 3. Fold short edges to- 
gether, Find center of the new short edge. Fold lower 
right hand corner to center of short edge. Fold triangle 
backward. Fold remaining portion through the center. 
Paper is now folded into five triangles. Cut on the line 
indicated. Open. Result, a five pointed star. 

Flag. 

Cut paper into oblongs 11 inches by 6. Cut red paper 
into strips one-half inch wide. Paste on paper leaving 
white places one inch wide and a margin one inch wide 
on the left hand sides. Leave space 4 by 3 in the upper 
left hand corner. Paste blue paper on this space. Cut 
small five-pointed stars from white or silver paper and 
paste on blue ground. Paste edge on willow twig. If 
preferred, the older children may whittle flag sticks. 

Shield. 

Cut a shield from stiff paper. Paint red stripes one 
inch wide, leaving white space the same width. Paint 
the top blue. Cut stars from white or silver paper and 
paste on the blue ground. Paste a picture of either Lin- 
coln or Washington in the center of shield. Colored pa- 
per may be used instead of water color or crayons. 

Soldier Cap. 

White paper, 24 inches by 18. Use newspapers if 
better paper can not be secured. Fold short edges to- 



66 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

gether. Again fold short edges together. Open. Turn 
folded edges toward you. Fold right half of closed edge 
to center crease; left half. The closed edges should 
meet at the center crease. This forms a triangle, leaving 
an edge of paper below, 3 inches wide. Turn open edge 
of triangle toward you. Fold one 3 inch piece upward 
on triangle. Turn the triangle on opposite side and fold 
the other three inch piece upward. Paste edges at cor- 
ners. This forms a soldier cap. Fold a sheet of red 
tissue paper into a strip 8 inches by 2%. Fringe to with- 
in 2 inches of the bottom. Paste on cap for a cockade. 
(See Pilgrim bonnet in November lessons.) 

Rosette. 

Cut, free hand, from red paper, a circle 3 inches in 
diameter. Cut circle 2^ inches in diameter from white 
paper. Paste this in red circle. Cut a third circle 2 
inches in diameter from blue paper. Paste this on the 
white circle. Cut head of Washington from 2 cent post- 
age stamps found on discarded envelopes and paste in 
center of blue circle. Paste the rosette in soldier cap 
just below the cockade. 

Patriotic Calendar. 

Cut from stiff paper two oblongs 11 by 5 and a third 
oblong 9 by 5. Decorate one oblong with picture of Lin- 
coln in frame folded from colored paper. (See Valentine 
II.) Mount on gray card board. Mount this upon ^ 
the oblong 11 by 5. On other half paste picture of log 
house mounted in a similar way. 

Frame picture of Washington and mount on ^ the 
other oblong 11 by 5. Let the children paint or draw a 
hatchet upon water color paper cut 5 by 4. Mount as 
directed above. Draw, paint, or make flag from colored 



LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY. 



67 



paper and paste on oblong 9 by 5. Paste calendar on 
same oblong. • Fasten together with red, white and blue 
ribbon, as shown in the illustration. 




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PATRIOTIC CALENDAR 



68 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 
LESSONS FOR MARCH. 




IRONING 

Thought — Content. 

I. Ironing and Washing. — Heretofore we have con- 
sidered man's work. This month will be devoted to 
woman's work in the home. 

II. Nature — (a) The Wind. Read poems about 
wind and discuss its usefulness in turning windmills, dry- 
ing clothes, etc. (b) Observe the development of buds 
on trees and shrubs. 

III. Japanese Life. — Emphasize the home activities. 

IV. The Feast of Dolls. — This is a Japanese holiday 
for little girls, celebrated the third of March. Have a 
dolls' party and encourage each child to make an original 
doll and bring it to school on this day. 



LESSONS FOR MARCH. 



69 



Drawing. 

I. Give each child a twig from a budding tree. Have 
the children observe the position and shape of the buds. 
Draw with charcoal. Keep these twigs in a jar of water 




and make other drawings from time to time. Notice 
carefully any change in the shape or size of the buds. 

2. Tell by a drawing what is being done on the farm 
to get ready for the summer. 

3. Draw from a life pose a child washing dolly's 
clothes. 

4. Talk to the children about Japanese homes, of 
what material and how they are made. Tell them about 
the Japanese people and their customs. Let the children 
make illustrative drawings of Japanese life. 

Cutting. 

I. Draw a landscape showing a windmill and a kite 
in the distance. Cut the different garments dolly wears 



70 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 




JAPANESE FAMILY 



LESSONS FOR MARCH. 71 

and paste these on a line in the foreground. Call the 
picture 'The Story of the Wind." 

2. Cut to illustrate scenes from Japanese life. 

Modeling. 

Secure specimens of Japanese pottery for the children 
to observe. Notice carefully the use of fish, birds and 
flowers for decoration. 

Let the children model in clay some of the utensils 
used by the Japanese, such as bowls, vases, trays, teapots, 
teacups and saucers. Encourage them to originate their 
own designs in the decoration. (See October lessons.) 

Handicraft. — General Suggestions. 

1. Have a mothers' meeting and tell them that you 
wish to study Japanese life. They will be glad to loan 
fans, lanterns, umbrellas, trays, screens, banners, etc., for 
the children to examine. A wise presentation of subject- 
matter by means of study, object, and pictures will enable 
the children to form clear images of Japanese life and to 
express these by means of drawings, cutting, modeling, 
and handicraft. 

2. Whenever possible make a pattern for rug, ban- 
ner, screen, etc., before making the object. 

3. The study of Japanese life affords opportunity for 
good color combinations and a display of taste. Decor' 
ative effects are secured by the use of black and white, 
also black, and gilt or silver. To illustrate : 

(a) Examine vases, teapots, etc. Cut these forms 
free hand out of black paper and paste on white mount- 
ing paper. 

(b) Cut the same forms free hand from silver or gilt 
paper and paste on black paper. 



72 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



Ordinary wall paper may be used with excellent 
effect for lanterns, screens, etc. 

4. Convert the sand table into a Japanese home. 
Each child cannot make an entire house, so it will be well 
to select a building committee from those capable of do- 
ing the work. Hold each group of this committee re- 




JAPANESE HOUSE 

sponsible for a particular part of the house. Let one sec- 
tion make the foundation, another the frame work, an- 
other the curtains. Have all of the children make screens, 
banners, dolls, etc., and select the best for the place of 
honor on the sand table. 



LESSONS FOR MARCH. 73 

Japanese House. 

Cut a foundation board, i8 inches by 14 and cover 
with clay. Fasten corn stalks in the clay for corner sup- 
ports. 

Materials. — Use glass packing paper for the roof; 
carpet paper for the sides ; and cornstalks for the corner 
supports (these are very good substitutes for bamboo). 
Make strings of corn 12 inches long for the curtains and 
fasten these to cornstalks. (See September lessons.) 

Japanese Dolls. 

Buy an inexpensive Japanese doll at a toy shop and 
examine the style of dress. Note the shaved head, sash, 
shoes, etc. Make kimonas out of Japanese napkins and 
dress dolls which the children originate. 

Screen. 

Fasten cornstalks together to form a frame. Paste 
strips of paper on the frame for hinges. Cut three pieces 
of paper, each 4 inches by 8. Paint or draw on the screen 
flowers, trees, grasses, birds, teapots, etc. A background 
of black paper, with designs cut from gilt paper, will be 
decorative. Paste other pieces of paper on the back of 
the screen to make both sides look finished. 

Banners. 

Make banners in the same manner that the sections 
for screens were made. Fasten with cord or raffia. 

Lanterns. 

Use kindergarten paper or ordinary wall paper. Have 
a variety of colors and let the children choose the one 
preferred. 

Directions. — Oblongs of paper, 4 inches by 8. Fold 
the long edges together. Make inward cuts to within 
one-half inch of the top. Paste short edges together. 
Invent a handle. 



74 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 





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LESSONS FOR MARCH. 75 

Fans. 

(a) Cut berry boxes into slats. Use these for a 
frame. Stain with bluing or paint. Decorate paper with 
a Japanese design. Paste on the frame. 

(b) Fold paper forward and backward. Fasten to 
one of the slats with cord or raffia. 

Umbrellas. 

(a) Use long counting sticks for the frames. (These 
may be purchased at any kindergarten supply house.) 
Cover with paper in gay colors. 

(b) Fold paper forward and backward. Open. Use 
a lemonade straw for a handle. 

Mats. 

Examine Japanese matting. Draw a pattern of a 
mat, showing size and decoration. Weave a raffia mat 
for the floor of the Japanese house. Use colored raffia 
for the design. Sew a design on a plain mat, if this is 
easier for the inexperienced fingers. 

Kite. 

Cut slats from berry boxes. Cross two of these 
obliquely. Glue. Place half of a third slat crosswise. 
Glue. Notch the sticks and fasten thread around frame. 
Cover with tissue paper. Make a tail of thread and tissue 
paper. Fasten string on kite. These small kites fly as 
well as larger ones, if the tail is right. 

Pin Wheel. 

Have paper cut in squares, 8 by 8. Fold opposite 
corners together. Open, and fold the other two corners 
together. Open, and make inward cut along crease, from 
each corner, to one inch from center. Fold alternate 
points to center. Fasten with pin to willow stick. 



76 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Stove. 

Oblong of paper 9 inches by 6. Fold short edge to 
the first crease. Again fold each short edge to center 
crease. Open. Fold each short edge to the first crease 
on either side of the center crease. Open. Observe dia- 
gram and cut as indicated by the heavy lines. Fold one 
end back to make a hearth. Fold and paste stove. Cut 
front doors. Draw lines to indicate a grate. Cut and 
fold a pipe and paste it to the stove. Cut legs and paste 
them to the stove. 




LESSONS FOR APRIL. 
LESSONS FOR APRIL. 



77 




KNITTING 



Thought— Content. 

L Woman's Work. — Sewing, mending, and knit- 
ting. 

IL Nature. — (a) Rain. — Talk to the children about 
rain and the uses of water, e. g., to nourish man and the 
thirsty plants, to turn mill wheels, carry boats, etc. Em- 
phasize the beauty of the ocean, lake, or stream and 
teach the children to appreciate a water view. 

(b) Birds — Interest the children in the birds as they 
return in the spring. Have them observe the size, color, 
song, flight and nest of a bird. 

III. Holland Life. — Follow the suggestions given 
for the study of Japanese life. (See March lessons.) 



78 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



IV. Holidays. — (a) Easter Day. — The keynote of 
Easter is happiness — the satisfaction that follows unself- 
ish effort to help others. Teach the joy of self-forgetful- 
ness. 

(b) Arbor and Bird Day are usually observed at the 
same time. The date varies in the different states. The 




purpose of the day is to arouse an interest in the planting 
of trees, and to develope a public sentiment toward the 
preservation and increase of our native birds. 



LESSONS FOR APRIL. 



79 




HOLLAND FAMILY 



80 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Drawing. 

1. Tell the children to illustrate mother's work each 
day in the week, viz., washing, ironing, cleaning, mend- 
ing, sweeping, baking. Do not allow any child to repre- 
sent all the days in one drawing. It may be well to let 
each child select a day to represent. Hang the best 
drawings in a line in the order of the days of the week. 

2. Ask a child to stand under an umbrella with his 
back to the class. Let the other children image and draw, 
using charcoal or pencil. 

3. Draw a picture showing a flock of birds flying 
toward the north. 

4. Draw a picture showing what you like to play at 
this season of the year. 

5. Show by a drawing what you would like to -give 
some one at Easter. Place the emphasis upon giving, 
not upon getting. 

6. Draw to illustrate an Easter story. 

7. Draw the early spring flowers. Use colors. 

8. The beautiful Easter lily, with its white blossoms 
and green leaves, will make an attractive study for a 
drawing lesson. 

9. Draw a toy sail boat. Observe carefully the 
shape of the sails. Draw a picture showing a boat as 
part of a water view. 

Cutting. 

Cut to illustrate scenes from Holland life ; woman's 
work ; boats ; a flock of birds ; also Easter stories. Make 
a bird booklet. (See the September lessons for cutting). 

Modeling. 

Base the modeling lessons upon the observation of 
nature, e. g., birds, rabbits, chickens, flowers, etc. 



LESSONS FOR APRIL. 



81 



Handicraft. 

I. Dutch Dolls. — Dress dolls in Dutch costume. 
The kerchiefs and aprons worn will make easy sewing 
lessons. 

II. Knitting. — (a) Knit dish-cloths and wash-cloths 
out of darning cotton. 

(b) Knit lines for a little brother to play with. (See 
December lessons.) 

(c) Knit a straight band of bright yarn. Fold in the 
center and sew together to use as a beanbag cover. 

III. Sailboats. — i. Have paper cut into squares 6 
by 6. (See November lessons). Make two inward cuts 
on middle crease two inches long, on opposite edges. Fold 
lower edge upward to middle crease. Fold lower right 







T" — 7r 







Diagram of paper boat. Nut boat. Milk Weed boat. Butter dish boat. 

hand corner backward on the diagonal. Same with the 
lower left hand corner. This forms the boat. Fold both 
edges of the remaining oblong backward to center crease, 
leaving a square. Fold upper right hand corner back- 
ward on the diagonal. This forms the sail. 

2. Make a hole in the bottom of a wooden butter 
dish. Cut the paper sail and paste on willow twig. 
Stand sail upright in the boat. 

3. Make a hole in the bottom of an empty milkweed 
pod. Cut a paper sail and paste on wooden toothpick. 
Stand upright in boat. 

4. Make a hole in the bottom of half an empty wal" 
nut shell. Paste a paper sail on a wooden tooth pick. 
Stand upright in boat. 



82 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



IV. Easter Gifts. — i. Make a stand by fastening 
three willow twigs together with wire or string. Deco- 




1 and 2— Egg shell flower stand. 3— Bird's nest. 

rate with blue ribbon. Color half of an Qgg shell with 
bluing. Make a hole in the bottom of the shell with a 
pin. Fill with earth and plant bird seed in it. 

2. Another stand may be made by using an empty 
spool. Fasten pins around the edge a quarter of an inch 
apart. Weave around the pins with raffia, string, or 
worsted. Color with bluing and use egg shell as above. 

V. Bird's Nest. — Cover half of an tgg shell, inside 
and out, thickly with glue. Cover with dry grass and 
mould the nest into shape. Make eggs out of clay. 

VI. Easter Cards. — Make Easter cards. Follow 
the suggestions given for Christmas cards. (See Decem- 
ber lessons.) The design and sentiment should harmon- 
ize with the Easter thought, e. g., use the Easter lily, 
spring flowers, rabbit, chickens, birds, etc., for decora- 
tion. 

VII. Hammocks. — Material: Two brass rings, 
macrame cord or yarn ; a strawboard loom 7 by 12 inches. 
Weave with a large darning needle. Two colors may be 
combined with pleasing effect. 

Directions. — Draw a line one inch from each edge 
and parallel to it. This makes a rectangle 5 by 10 inches. 
Curve the two ends slightly to give fullness to the mid- 
dle of the hammock. Make 21 holes on the curved line 



LESSONS FOR APRIL. 



83 



y^ of an inch apart. Tie the two brass rings together 
and fasten them to the middle of the loom by punching 
holes and tying them through. To thread the loom, 
fasten one end of the warp to the upper ring and thread 
a darning needle with the other end. Draw the needle 
through the middle or eleventh hole from the top, then 




Back and front of loom for hammock. 



straight across the face of the loom through the eleventh 
hole from the bottom, and tie to the lower ring at the 
back. Go back to the next hole from the bottom. Draw 
the needle through, then across the face of the loom to 
the opposite hole in the top, and fasten to the upper ring. 
Proceed in this way to the outer edge. String each half 
of the loom in the same way. Now you are ready to 
weave. 



84 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

Begin at the upper right corner, weaving over one 
and under one. Let the ends of the woof extend over 
each side of the card to form a fringe. When the ham- 
mock is finished cut the strawboard through the holes 
made for stringing. Fasten with double weaving. 

Observe blankets and weave simple border designs 
in stripes. String the loom to match the body color. 
Weave about one inch of the body color then use a color 
which harmonizes for the border. Weave the body of the 
rug until you are ready for the border at the opposite end. 
Suggestion. 

Children in the second and third years of school life 
will find much pleasure in weaving hammocks. Let the 
older pupils make and string the looms. 




LESSONS FOR MAY. 
LESSONS FOR MAY. 



85 




THE FARMER 



Thought — Content. 

I. The Farmer. — Visit a farm or a garden. Ob- 
serve the preparation of the soil, how the seeds are 
planted, etc. Notice the farm animals. 

II. Nature. — (a) Take a walk to the brook with the 
children and discuss its usefulness. It gives water to the 
plants, birds and animals; floats boats and logs; is a home 
for the fishes ; turns water wheels to run the machinery in 
mills, etc. Have lessons upon fish, crawfish, the turtle, 
frog, toad, snake, etc. 

(b) Take a walk to the woods. Interest the children 
in the many changes taking place along the roadside, in 
the fields, and in the woods. How do the leaves appear 



86 FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

in May? What are the buds doing? Observe the spring 
flowers ; where and how they grow. Teach the children 
to enjoy flowers without picking more than they can 
use. They should be taught to produce rather than to 
destroy. 

III. Holidays.— May Day— May ist. Let the chil- 
dren make baskets and fill them with flowers. Hang 
these on a friend's door, ring the bell, and run away. 
This is a simple, old-fashioned custom that might well 
be revived for the pleasure of the children. 

Memorial Day. — May 30th. The lesson of Memorial 
Day is peace. Bring out the thought that it is a day of 
reverent memory for heroic struggle ; a day to foster a 
spirit of loving brotherhood; a day to make our children 
tender and true and, therefore, more patriotic. 

Drawing and Cutting. 

1. Draw a landscape to illustrate what the farmer 
does in May. Use colors or charcoal. 

2. Show how the farmer looks when he mows the 
hay; when he rakes the hay; how the hay looks when it 
is hauled to market. 

3. Make a picture to show what is being done at 
home to get ready for spring. 

4. Let two girls turn a rope while a third child skips 
it. Class observe and draw from memory. 

5. Pose a boy with fishing tackle and draw. 

6. Draw a picture of something you saw in the 
woods. 

7. Draw the spring flowers. Use colors. 

8. Draw to ilustrate some of the uses of the brook. 

9. Draw to ilustrate a May pole dance. 



LESSONS FOR MAY. 87 

Modeling. 

1. Model a simple leaf in clay. 

2. Model fruit, vegetables and animals. Note the 
size, pecularities of shape, etc. 

3. What pets have you at home? Model the one you 
like best. 

4. Model the animal life found in the book. 

Handicraft. — Braiding. 

General vSuggestions : 

Young children may be taught braiding. Teach the 
three-strand braiding first. Use corset laces, macreme, 
cord, or raffia. Fasten the knotted end with a tack to 
the under side of a desk or a window sill. Press the 
strands firmly each time to keep the braid flat. If raffia 
is used, decide upon the thickness of the braid and use 
two or three threads of raffia to each strand. In length- 
ening, lap the old and new ends — do not tie. Afterward 
cut off close to the braid and ends that protrude. Use the 
braid for mats, napkin rings, doll hats, baskets, lines for 
little brother to play with, etc. 

1. Mats. — Use a No. 19 tapestry needle threaded 
with raffia. The braid may be sewed edge to edge, or 
with the flat sides together. Sew through the loops of 
the braid in order to hide the stitches as much as possible. 

2. Doll Hats. — Let the children draw pictures of 
simple hats. These patterns may vary in size and shape. 
Begin at the center of the crown and sew the braid in a 
circle. Have the sewing all done on one side. Impress 
upon the children the importance of neat and careful 
work. 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 




LESSONS FOR MAY. 



89 



Baskets. 

General Suggestions : 

The muscles of the hand are not strong enough for 
young children to use reeds and raffia in the more ad- 
vanced forms of basketry. This work should be intro- 
duced in the intermediate grades, not the primary. Omit 
any of the following models that seem too difficult. 

I. Use slender willow twigs or reeds. If reeds are 
used soak in water until pliable. The spokes should be 
coarser than the weaver. Nos. 4 and 2 make a firm basket. 
Cut four spokes ten inches long and one spoke six inches 
long. Split two of them in the center. Pass the other 




two spokes through and make all of same length. Fasten 
remaining piece in to make (pdd number of spokes for the 
foundation. Use finer reed for weaving. Insert one end 
in the cutting and weave over and under. Shape the 
basket while weaving. Finish the top by turning the 
spokes downward. 

2. Make a reed frame work as in Model I. Use 
braided raffia for the weaver. Let the children observe 
baskets and invent a way to finish the top. (Fig. i.) 

3. Use for the foundation copper wire about the size 
of the lead in an ordinary pencil. Heavy wire hairpins 



90 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



may also be used. Bend into the shape desired and wind 
with raffia. (Fig. 2.) 

4. Gather rushes and dry them. Moisten them be- 
fore using. Weave into a square mat. Fold into a basket 
and sew the edges together. (Fig. 3.) 




5. Cut eight strips of heavy paper one inch wide and 
18 inches long. Weave four strips through center of other 
four strips, forming bottom of basket. Bring four ends 
together, forming one strand. Same with the other three 
sides. Lap the ends and fasten with a brass fastener or 
collar button. This forms the handle. (Fig. 4.) 

6. Make a wire frame work and wind with raffia. 
(Fig. 5-) 

7. Make a basket out of berry boxes. (See Dec. les- 
sons.) 

8. Braid raffia and sew together to form a basket. 



LESSONS FOR MAY. 



91 



Doll Furniture. 

Make the foundation out of copper wire. Use fine 
wire to fasten the parts. Wind with raffia. 




DOLL. FURNITURE 



92 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 

LESSONS FOR JUNE. 




GARDENING 



Thought— Content. 

I. Gardening. — Place the emphasis upon gardening. 
It should take precedence over all other forms of handi- 
craft during this month. If possible have a school gar- 
den. If not, plant seeds in window boxes. Encourage 
home gardening. Use the seeds collected the previous 
autumn. (See October lessons). 

II. Color. — (a) Direct the attention of the children 
to the color of the sun set sky ; to the shape of the leaves 
and the color of the flowers ; to the form and color of the 
butterflies. 

(b) Have informal talks about the preparation for 
vacation ; fishing excursions ; the pleasures of seashore, 
mountain and farm. 



LESSONS FOR JUNE. 



93 



(c) Observe the bees gathering honey and talk about 
a bee-hive, 

III. Filipino Life. — Emphasize the home activities. 




FILIPINO FAMILY 

IV. Midsummer Day. — This is an old English holi- 
day. It occurs the 24th of June and is a day on which 
the fairies are supposed to be unusually active. Read 
to the children Mary Howitt's charming poem, "Mabel 
on Midsummer Day." 

Drawing. 

1. How does the sky look in June? What colors do 
you see? Make a sunset picture. 

2. Draw a June landscape. 

3. Nature drawing from leaves and flowers. Use 
colored crayons. 

4. Show by a drawing what you want to do during 
vacation. 



94 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



5. Let each child draw: 

(a) A picture of his own home. 

(b) What he does to help mother. 

(c) ■ What game he likes best. 

(d) A picture of his garden. 

6. Draw a little Filipino child and the 



house in 



which he lives. 

7. Draw to illustrate your favorite fairy story. 

8. Make a June picture. Put this with the other 
drawings of the months and take the portfolio home. 




FRAME WORK OF FILIPINO HOUSE 



LESSONS FOR JUNE. 



95 




COMPLETED FILIPINO HOUSE 



Cutting. 

Cut flowers out of colored paper and mount at the 
bottom of a large sheet of paper to form a garden. Draw 
butterflies above the flowers as though flying over the 
garden. Use colors. 

Handicraft. — Filipino House. 

Cut a foundation board i8 inches by 14 and cover 
with clay. Fasten corn stalks in the clay for corner sup- 
ports. 



9G 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



Materials. — A Filipino house is made of bamboo and 
matting. It is built on poles above the ground and is tied 
together with strips of rattan. No nails are used. We 
will build our house of cornstalks and either rushes or 
long, coarse grass. Tie the cornstalk frame together with 
raffia or string. Bind cornstalks together for a floor and 
tie it securely in place. The walls of the house and the 
roof are made of woven mats. Tie cornstalks together for 
the steps. (See suggestions in March number for using 
the sand tables). 








1— Pattern for doll. 



2— Paper doll. 



Dress a doll in white waist with flowing sleeves, a 
light-colored skirt, a gay handkerchief about the neck 
and a square of dark cloth drawn tightly about the body 
from waist to knees. They do not wear stockings, but 
have sandals with toe straps to keep them from falling 



LESSONS FOR JUNE. 



97 



off. No hat is worn by the women and children. The 
men wear a large one made of bamboo that can be used 
for an umbrella or a basket. 
Fairy Dolls. 

Cut paper dolls and dress them as fairies in light- 
colored tissue paper. 




FAIRY DOLLS 

Use corn cobs as a foundation and dress them in 
tissue paper to represent fairies. 

Gardening. 

General Suggestions : 

No form of handicraft is more important than that 
of gardening. The School Garden movement will do two 
things. It will direct the mind of the child toward the 
pleasures and possibilities of country living, and it will 
become increasingly valuable as our educational ideal in- 
cludes the union of head, heart and hand. Nature study 



98 



FIRST LESSONS IN HANDICRAFT. 



taught as agriculture should be incorporated as an inte- 
gral part of an elementary school training. A plant 
should be studied in its relation to its surroundings and 
thus bring out its uses and the general plan. This will 
lead to a knowledge of soil; to the observation of the 
form, structure, buds and blossoms of a plant; to the 
study of insects and birds, their habits and uses. 

Directions : Each child should have a garden of his 
own in which to raise both flowers and vegetables. If 
there is not sufficient space about the school building se- 
lect a vacant lot in the locality. Divide the space into 
sections to accommodate the number of children. Let the 
children decide what they wish to plant. If an unwise 
choice is made, the teacher may guide by giving helpful 
suggestions. Mark each bed with a wooden stake record- 
ing the name of pupil, seeds and dates of planting. Let 
the pupils have entire charge of the weeding, watering, 
etc. 




A LIST OF BOOKS ON HANDICRAFT. 



Baldwin, Wm. A.— INDUSTRIAL SOCIAL EDUCA- 
TION— Springfield, Mass.: Milton, Bradley & Co. 

Beckwith, Helen M.— STORY TELLING WITH THE 
SCISSORS— Springfield, Mass.: Milton, Bradley & 
Co. 

Hemenway, H. D.— how to MAKE SCHOOL GAR- 
DENS— New York: Doubleday, Page & Co. 

HiLDRETH, Ellen Stephens— CLAY MODELING IN 
THE SCHOOL-ROOM— Springfield, Mass.: Milton, 
Bradley & Co. 

Holton-Rollins— INDUSTRIAL WORK FOR PUB- 
LIC SCHOOLS— Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co. 

Knapp, Elizabeth S.— RAFFIA AND REED WEAVING 
— Springfield, Mass. : Milton, Bradley & Co. 

TiNSLEY, Laura Rollins— PRACTICAL AND ARTIS- 
TIC BASKETRY— New York: E. L. Kellogg & Co. 

SlEGMILLER, WiLHELMINA— SUGGESTIONS IN HAND 
WORK — Chicago: Atkinson, Mentzer, and Grover. 

Todd, Mattie P.— HAND LOOM WEAVING— Chicago: 
Rand, McNally & Co. 

Wheeler, Mrs. Candace— HOW TO MAKE RUGS— 
New York: Doubleday, Page & Co. 

Walker, Louisa— V A R I E D OCCUPATIONS IN 
STRING WORK— New York: The MacMillan Co. 

Worst, Edwin F.— CONSTRUCTION WORK— Chicago: 
A. W. Mumford & Co. 



i-OFa 



99 



